Wyoming WIC
Baby Sleeping

Sleep Time Safety

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February 21, 2024 InfantGeneral /Family

Keeping your baby safe while they sleep is crucial. Unfortunately, each year, around 3,500 babies in the United States die during sleep due to various causes like sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, entrapment, strangulation, or unknown reasons. As parents, it can be frightening to read about these risks. Although we can’t prevent every tragedy, we must do everything we can to provide a secure sleeping environment for our infants. Whether it’s naptime during the day or bedtime at night, safety should always be our top priority.

Here are Some Important Safety Measures to Follow:

  • Choose the right sleeping space: The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cool room on their back, in a bassinet or crib with a firm mattress. Avoid using any padding, pillows, soft bedding, or stuffed toys in the crib. Also, make sure the crib is away from window blind cords, other cords, or wires.
  • Share your room, but not your bed: For the first year, it’s best for your baby to sleep in a crib or bassinet in your room. However, co-sleeping in bed with you is not safe.
  • Dress appropriately: Avoid overdressing your baby during sleep as it can lead to overheating and increase the risk of SIDS.
  • Safe swaddling: If you choose to swaddle your baby, stop swaddling by 2 months of age or before they begin rolling over. Never place a swaddled baby on their tummy.
  • Use pacifiers: Pacifiers are safe to use while your baby sleeps. However, avoid having bottles in the crib.
  • Adjust the crib mattress level: If your crib has an adjustable mattress level, lower it as your baby grows to prevent them from falling out once they begin rolling or standing.
  • Avoid sleep positioning devices: Wedges and similar sleep positioning devices are not recommended unless prescribed by a healthcare provider for medical reasons.
  • Avoid unsafe sleep surfaces: Infants should not sleep in infant seats, car seats (outside of the car), swings, couches, chairs, or on adult beds as these can pose risks of suffocation and falling.
  • Be cautious of popular products: Be wary of trendy sleeping suits or other items promoted on social media. Just because they are popular doesn’t mean they are safe. Research their safety ratings, recalls, and consult your healthcare provider before making a purchase.
  • Create a sleep-friendly environment: A darkened room with soft music or gentle sounds can help promote sleep better than using potentially unsafe products.
  • Consult a doctor: Do not administer over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements to help your baby sleep unless prescribed by their doctor. If your baby has conditions like reflux, snoring, breathing difficulties, or is sleeping excessively during the day, consult their healthcare provider.
  • Educate caregivers: Discuss safe sleep practices with all individuals who take care of your baby, including family members, friends, daycare providers, and babysitters in your home.
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Stay informed about the safety of your baby products. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission at (https://www.cpsc.gov/) for recalls, and report any issues you encounter with products you own at https://saferproducts.gov/.

By prioritizing your baby’s safety during sleep, you can help reduce the risks associated with SIDS and other sleep-related incidents.

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SIDE-LYING HOLD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE HOLD

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Laid-Back Hold

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position